Mid-week European soccer: Your running commentary

Okay folks, the schedule of matches is set. We have Roma-Inter on Fox Soccer Channel, Barcelona-Valencia on GolTV and Bayern Munich-1860 Munich on Setanta. Since we can’t all be so fortunate to A) be at home during the day or B) have access to ESPN360.com at work, I’m setting up this post to serve as a catch-all for comments and observations from today’s televised matches.

You know what to do. Fill us in on the action in the matches you’re watching so everyone can follow along.

Well chris, I don’t think benfica plays today, not to my knowledge at least. If you want just an update, he played 9 minutes in Benficas most recent game on sunday against sporting braga. Any other time you would like to know how freddy is doing, you can also refer to the “Americans Abroad” Category listed on the right margin.

Let me start out by saying that both the inter and roma squad seem to have fielded their 1A teams. Now while theres still key names like cambiasso, totti, de rossi, etc. Mancini is on the bench as well as cicinho, ludovic giuly, Zlatan, julio cruz, etc. Seems like both roma and inter are also having injury problems, with materazzi notably being out…

That last play not withstanding this has been a fairly dull game. And feel free to tell me what an idiot I am, but the relaxed, defensive style of play in the Italian league puts me to sleep for about 2/3s of the Italian matches I watch.

Barca-Valencia — 28th minute 0-0
About the 12th minute, Valencia had an opportunity in the box but was called for handball.
About the 24th minute, Abidal received a pass back after an overlapping run down the left, passed into Henry into the box. Henry took a touch, the ball popped up, and he tried a scissor kick but it went well wide.
Henry just tried a shot about 25 yards away but was parried out by Valencia GK.

35th minute — Henry sends Eto’o through, Eto’o slows down holds up ball at top right corner of box, Henry bolts through to center, Eto’o sends a low cross in but it’s too far ahead of Henry, who slides to no avail

I beleive he started in the last 2 matches against Levante and Celtic and was subbed out from what I hear he is showing glimpses of what he used to be he was left out of this match because Rijkaard wanted him to rest

I beleive he started in the last 2 matches against Levante and Celtic and was subbed out from what I hear he is showing glimpses of what he used to be he was left out of this match because Rijkaard wanted him to rest

That Bayern – 1860 derby was drama at its finest. Three red cards, two goals disallowed, and a incorretly called pk with 30 seconds remaining in the 2nd extra time for the winner. Even the pk had to be taken twice after a Bayern man entered the box prior to the shot.

On a Yank Abroad note, I thought Berhalter played fantastic — drawing the first of two yellows on Luca Toni. Josh Wolff did not play after 2 of 1860’s 3 subs were used on injuries.

With the whistle about to blow to end the match; Eto’o dribbles the ball into the box, passing two Valencia defenders and shoots.
The ball is parried out but right to Xavi, who one-times it into the lower left corner of the goal.
1-1. 94th minute.

Sampdoria’s two starting forwards, Claudio Bellucci and Antonio Cassano, were out with injuries today. So Ferrari was dressed for today’s game. I wonder how serious the injuries are, and whether Ferrari might see some action during Sunday’s game against Torino?